Foldable portable structure

ABSTRACT

A portable structure which is readily assembled and disassembled is provided and comprises a pair of rectangular panels fastened together in a hinged manner along associated edges by fastening means which enable the rectangular panels to be hingedly folded toward each other and arranged in parallel relation to define a space therebetween and away from each other to define an inverted V-shaped structure. The structure includes a pair of triangular panels hingedly attached to the rectangular panels; and, the triangular panels are adapted to be folded inwardly and received within such space once the rectangular panels are folded in parallel relation and adapted to be folded outwardly and fastened in position once the rectangular panels are folded outwardly.

[ 1 Apr. 30, 1974 FOLDABLE PORTABLE STRUCTURE [75] Inventor John L. Webster, Richmond, Va.

[73] Assigneez Reynolds Metals Company,

Richmond, Va.

[22] Filed: May 31, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 258,314

[52] US. Cl. 52/70, 52/71, l35/1 R,

135/4 R [51] Int. Cl E04b 1/344 [58] Field of Search 52/71, 69, 64, 70, 66; 135/1 R, 4 R, 3 R

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,835,931 5/1958 Sterkin 52/70 x 2,701,038 2/1955 M0oney.... 52/69 3,442,057 5/1969 Derr 135/1 R X 3,084,667 4/1963 Felhofer et a1... 135/4 R X 3,324,831 6/1967 Onge 52/71 X 2,296,358 v 9/1942 Morinsky et a1.... 135/1 R 3,474,804 10/1969 Gellert 135/3 R 2,420,898 5/1947 Miner 135/4 R X 3,083,418 4/1963 Reams 52/69 X 3,617,086 11/1971 King 52/69 X 3,454,020 7/1969 Grossman 52/70 X 3,332,178 7/1967 Foster 52/70 2,980,124 4/1961 Atchison 135/1 R 3,280,796 10/1966 Hatcher 3,193,973 7/1965 Lee et a1.

2,845,663 8/1958 Harr 52/70 X R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,103,558 5/1961 Germany 135/4 R Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Leslie A. Braun Attorney, Agent, or FirmGlenn, Palmer, Lyne & Gibbs 57 ABSTRACT A portable structure which is readily assembled and disassembled is provided and comprises a pair of rectangular panels fastened together in a hinged manner along associated edges by fastening means which enable the rectangular panels to be hingedly folded toward each other and arranged in parallel relation to define a space therebetween and away from each other to define an inverted V-shapedstructure. The structure includes a pair of triangular panels hingedly attached to the rectangular panels; and, the triangular panels are adapted to be folded inwardly and received within such space once the rectangular panels are folded in parallel relation and adapted to be folded outwardly and fastened in position once the rectangular panels are folded outwardly.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures F OLDABLE PORTABLE STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a need throughout the world for weathertight temporary portable shelters which may be readily assembled and used as dwellings, hospitals, schools, etc., to replace permanent structures destroyed by natural causes such as earthquakes and floods, for example, as well as structures destroyed by man-made causes such as riots and war.

SUMMARY This invention provides an improved substantially weather-tight portable structure which is self-contained and defined by a few simple panels whereby such structure is readily transported and assembled.

Other'details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the exemplary embodiment thereof presented in the accompanying drawing proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing shows a present preferred embodiment of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking toward what will be considered the front of one exemplary embodiment of the self-contained structure of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of this invention in its collapsed condition prior to assembly thereof; FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which rectangular panels comprising the structure of F IG. 1 are spread apart to define an inverted V-shaped structure and particularly illustrating the manner in which hingedly attached triangular end panels comprising such structure are positioned against the inside surfaces of the rectangular panels to enable collapsing of the structure to define the configuration of FIG. 2;

F IG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view looking toward the rear of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary end view showing the top portion of the front of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentially on the line 6--6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary end view showing the upper portion of the structure as illustrated in FIG.

F IG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentially on the line 88 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The structure 10 comprises a pair of rectangular panels each designated by the same reference numeral 11 and has fastening means designated generally by the reference numeral 12 fastening associated top edge portions 13 of the rectangular panels together in a hinged manner. The fastening means 12 enables the rectangular panels to be hingedly moved or folded inwardly, i.e., toward each other, and arranged in substantially parallel relation so as to define a space S therebetween and such fastening means enables the panels 11 to be hingedly folded outwardly, i.e., away from each other, to define an inverted substantially V- shaped structure, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing.

The structure 10 also comprises a pair of triangular panels 14 and 15 hingedly attached to the rectangular panels 11. In particular, the triangular panel 14 is hingedly attached to one of the rectangular panels 11 using a plurality of spaced hinges 16 and in a manner enabling panel 14 to be folded against the inside surface of its rectangular panel 11 and as shown at 17 in FIG. 3. The triangular panel 15 is hingedly attached to the other rectangular panel 1 l by a plurality of spaced hinges 20 in a manner which enables the panel 15 to be folded against the inside surface of its rectangular panel 11 and as shown at 21 in FIG. 3. Thus, once the rectangular panels 1 1 with panels 14 and 15 held against their inside surfaces are hingedly folded inwardly about the fastening means 12 to define the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the triangular panels 14 and 15 are received within the space S. However, as the rectangular panels 11 are hingedly folded outwardly, the triangular panels 14 and 15 are also hingedly folded outwardly about their respective hinges 16 and 20 to define the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 5 and 7 of the drawing, the fastening means 12 comprises a pair of substantially identical L-shaped brackets 23 and each bracket has legs 24 and 25 which diverge from a common junction. The leg 24 of each bracket 23 is fixed to an associated rectangular panel 11 with its leg 25 extending transverse, perpendicular in this example, the leg 24 whereby each leg 25 extends substantially perpendicular its associated panel 1 1. The fastening means 12 also comprises at least one hinge device connecting the brackets 23 together and in this example a plurality of conventional hinges 26 are provided in spaced relation and hingedly connect the leg portions 25 of brackets 23 together to thereby hingedly connect the top portions 13 of the rectangular panels 1 1 together. Each hinge 26 has a pair of leaves 27 suitably fixed to the leg portions 25 and the leaves have knuckles which receive a pin 28 therethrough in a known manner.

The structure 10 also has a flexible cap 29 made of a suitable metallic material and the cap has lower edge portions 30 arranged beneath the vertical level of the fastening means 12 and such portions are suitably fixed to the rectangular panels 11 whereby the cap 29 shields the top edge portions of the panels 11, 14, and 1S and, hence, the top of the structure 10 against the elements. The cap 29 has an arcuate configuration when viewed from an end thereof and, thus, is easily flexed from the configuration shown in FIG. 2 to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 without damage thereto.

The triangular panel 14 has a side edge portion 31 which is hingedly attached by hinges 16 to one panel 1 1 and has an oppositely arranged unattached or swinging 3 side portion 32. Similarly, the triangular panel 15 has a side edge portion 33 hingedly attached by hinges 20 to the other panel 11 and has an oppositely arranged swinging side portion 34. Each swinging portion 32 and 34 is detachably fastened in position against an associated panel by a plurality or set of quick fasteners 35 of conventional construction, see FIGS. and 9. Each fastener 35 is constructed so that it is normally carried in its fastening position on an associated rectangular panel 11 and has suitable fastening means which may be in the form of a helical thread 36 which is threaded through an associated opening 38 in a triangular panel and upon turning the head portion 37 of such a fastener 35 through an angular increment of approximately 90 the thread 36 engages portions of the triangular panel adjoining its opening 38 to fasten the triangular panel in position.

To assure that the structure has optimum structural integrity, each rectangular panel 11 is provided with peripheral beams 40 at its bottom and ends while the bracket 23 also serves as a top beam. Similarly, each triangular panel 14 and is provided with peripheral beams 41.

The panels 11,14, and 15 may be made of any suitable material; however, each panel is preferably made of metallic materials containing aluminum thereby assuring that these panels have a high strength to weight ratio. In this example each rectangular panel 11 is -made of corrugated aluminum sheets 2, see FIG. 6,

while each triangular panel 14 and 15 is made of corrugated aluminum sheets 43, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

A typical structure 10 having a floor measuring 11 feet by 12 feet and a height of roughly 10 feet may be readily erected by as few as three men by first placing the structure illustrated in FIG. 2 with one of its rectangular panels 1 1 on the ground and then lifting vertically upwardly using one or more ropes, as required, attached to the cap 29 while simultaneously spreading the rectangular panels 11 apart, as shown in FIG. 3. The triangular panels 14 and 15 are then allowed to swing vertically into position whereupon the fasteners 35 are quickly fastened in the manner described previously to complete the structure. The structure 10 may be anchored to the ground using metal stakes 45 and each of these stakes may be slidably carried within one or more brackets 46 fixed to an associated panel 11 or each stake may be carried separately.

The structure 10 may be provided with one or more windows and at least one door and, in this example, a door 50 is provided in the triangular panel 14 and a window 51 is provided in the triangular panel l5.'The door is suitably framed and provided with hinges and a latch whereby it is ready for normal use.

The structure 10 may be modified to fit particular requirements. For example, the end panel 14 may be divided into two unequal portions along a vertical line slightly to the right of the door 50 as shown in FIG. 1. The two portions may be used in different ways, as follows: (i) The two portions may be hinged together so that the smaller portion may be folded against .the larger portion when the panel 14 is swung against the panel 11, and corresponding portions of the opposite panel 15 may be similarly divided, hinged and folded against the other panel 1 1; (ii) the two portions of each of the end panels 14 and 15 may be hinged not to each other but rather to the adjacent ends of the two rectangular panels 11. In a modification, which may be independent of or in combination with the first mentioned modifications, especially modifications (ii), the two rectangular panels 11 may be subdivided, such as by separating the structure 10 illustrated in FIGS. l-4 into 'two separate halves, with the plane of division passing through the middle of the structure parallel'to and half way between the end panels 14 and 15. The two halves can thus be transported separately, assembledon the site,.and. joined by any means suitable for use in the field.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention, and methods of practicing the same, have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: t

1. A portable structure comprising, a pair of rectangular panels each having inside surfaces and having upper, lower, and first and second side edge portions,

means fastening associated upper edge portions of said rectangular panels together in a hinged manner, said fastening means being in its fastened condition and enabling said rectangular panels to be hingedly folded toward each other with said inside surfaces facing each other and arranged in parallel relation to define a space therebetween and away from each other to define an inverted V-shaped structure, said fastening means comprising a pair of roughly L-shaped brackets each having one leg fixed to an associated rectangular panel adjacent its upper portion and another leg extending transverse said one leg and its rectangular panel toward the other of said pair of rectangular panels, at least one hinge device hingedly connecting the transverse legs of said brackets together to define saidspace, a first and a second triangular panel, said first triangular panel being hingedly attached to the first side edge portion of one of said rectangular panels, said second triangular panel being hingedly attached to the second side edge portion of the other of said rectangular panels, each of said triangular panels being adapted to be folded inwardly against the inside surface of an associated rectangular panel and received within said space once said rectangular panels are folded in parallel relation and adapted to be folded outwardly and locked in position once said rectangular panels are folded away from each other to thereby completely define-said structure, attaching meanson the second edge portion of said one rectangular panel for locking said second triangular panel in position, and attaching means on the first edge portion of said other rectangular panel for locking siad first triangular panel in position.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a flexible cap fixed to at least one of said rectangular panels at a vertical level below said fastening means, said cap shielding the top edges of said rectangular panels along their entire lengths.

3. A self-contained portable shelter made of only four high-strength rigid panels and comprising, a pair of rectangular panels having inside and outside surfaces, means fastening associated top edge portions of said rectangular panels together in a hinged manner, said fastening means being in its fastened condition and enabling said rectangular panels to be hingedly folded toward each other with said inside surfaces facing each other and arranged in parallel relation to define a space therebetween and away from each other to define an inverted V-shaped structure, said fastening means comprising a pair of roughly L-shaped brackets-each fixed to an associated one of said rectangular panels and each having a transverse portion extending away from the inside surface of its panel and at least one hinge device hingedly connecting said transverse portions of said brackets together to define said space, a pair of triangular panels hingedly attached to said rectangular panels, one of said triangular panels being adapted to be folded against the inside surface of one of said rectangular panels and the other of said triangular panels being adapted to be folded against the inside surface of the other of said rectangular panels enabling said triangular panels to be received within said space once said rectangular panels are folded in parallel relation, said triangular panels being adapted to be folded outwardly and locked in position once said rectangular panels are folded away from each other to thereby define said shelter, and attaching means on the rectangular panels for locking the triangular panels when folded out to define said shelter.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising a flexible cap fixed to each of said rectangular panels at a vertical level below said fastening means, said cap shielding the top edges of said rectangular panels along their entire lengths and said cap being easily flexed yet remaining structurally intact regardless of the positions of said rectangular panels.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 4 in which said attaching means comprises a set of quick fasteners carried by each of said rectangular panels along a vertical edge portion thereof, each set of quick fasteners being adapted to lock an associated triangular panel in position against the rectangular panel carrying the set of fasteners. 

1. A portable structure comprising, a pair of rectangular panels each having inside surfaces and having upper, lower, and first and second side edge portions, means fastening associated upper edge portions of said rectangular panels together in a hinged manner, said fastening means being in its fastened condition and enabling said rectangular panels to be hingedly folded toward each other with said inside surfaces facing each other and arranged in parallel relation to define a space therebetween and away from each other to define an inverted V-shaped structure, said fastening means comprising a pair of roughly L-shaped brackets each having one leg fixed to an associated rectangular panel adjacent its upper portion and another leg extending transverse said one leg and its rectangular panel toward the other of said pair of rectangular panels, at least one hinge device hingedly connecting the transverse legs of said brackets together to define said space, a first and a second triangular panel, said first triangular panel being hingedly attached to the first side edge portion of one of said rectangular panels, said second triangular panel being hingedly attached to the second side edge portion of the other of said rectangular panels, each of said triangular panels being adapted to be folded inwardly against the inside surface of an associated rectangular panel and received within said space once said rectangular panels are folded in parallel relation and adapted to be folded outwardly and locked in position once said rectangular panels are folded away from each other to thereby completely define said structure, attaching means on the second edge portion of said one rectangular panel for locking said second triangular panel in position, and attaching means on the first edge portion of said other rectangular panel for locking siad first triangular panel in position.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a flexible cap fixed to at least one of said rectangular panels at a vertical level below said fastening means, said cap shielding the top edges of said rectangular panels along their entire lengths.
 3. A self-contained portable shelter made of only four high-strength rigid panels and comprising, a pair of rectangular panels having inside and outside surfaces, means fastening associated top edge portions of said rectangular panels together in a hinged manner, said fastening means being in its fastened condition and enabling said rectangular panels to be hingedly folded toward each other with said inside surfaces facing each other and arranged in parallel relation to define a space therebetween and away from each other to define an inverted V-shaped structure, said fastening means comprising a pair of roughly L-shaped brackets each fixed to an associated one of said rectangular panels and each having a transverse portion extending away from the inside surface of its panel and at least one hinge device hingedly connecting said transverse portions of said brackets together to define said space, a pair of triangular panels hingedly attached to said rectangular panels, one of said triangular panels being adapted to be folded against the inside surface of one of said rectangular panels and the other of said triangular panels being adapted to be folded against the inside surface of the other of said rectangular panels enabling said triangular panels to be received within said space once said rectAngular panels are folded in parallel relation, said triangular panels being adapted to be folded outwardly and locked in position once said rectangular panels are folded away from each other to thereby define said shelter, and attaching means on the rectangular panels for locking the triangular panels when folded out to define said shelter.
 4. A structure as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising a flexible cap fixed to each of said rectangular panels at a vertical level below said fastening means, said cap shielding the top edges of said rectangular panels along their entire lengths and said cap being easily flexed yet remaining structurally intact regardless of the positions of said rectangular panels.
 5. A structure as set forth in claim 4 in which said attaching means comprises a set of quick fasteners carried by each of said rectangular panels along a vertical edge portion thereof, each set of quick fasteners being adapted to lock an associated triangular panel in position against the rectangular panel carrying the set of fasteners. 